International
Hong Kong
Seven former UK Foreign Secretaries write to urge the PM to lead global response to Hong Kong crisis. The cross party group said the UK should set up an "international contact group" of allies to coordinate joint action. BBC, Times, Guardian, 1 June
US says it will end special treatment for Hong Kong on customs, export controls, and travel. President Trump said the US would also look at US-listed Chinese companies, fight “industrial espionage”, secure its universities and limit the movement of certain Chinese nationals deemed a security risk. White House, 29 May, FT, 30 May
UK widens visa rights offer to almost 3m Hong Kong residents. FT, 29 May
China’s Security Law Sends Hong Kong Residents Dashing for Exit. Bloomberg, 31 May
U.S. Government Is Selling Property in Exclusive Hong Kong Area. Bloomberg, 31 May
Chinese Ambassador to the UK says “Hong Kong is a part of China, like Florida is a part of the U.S” CGTN, 30 May
Tory MPs demand more action against China's Hong Kong power grab. Independent, 31 May
Telegraph investigation reveals UK universities’ dual-use projects with China. The Telegraph reports that Huawei funded or co-authored at least 17 scientific papers with UK universities about cutting-edge "dual use" technologies - which can have civilian applications but can also be used in military technology. It reports: “The technology could be used to communicate with swarms of drones or on highly advanced image recognition software that could potentially be used for extreme levels of surveillance.” The UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) distributed more than £6.5 million to British universities for studies undertaken with controversial Chinese defence institutions. It notes, “£305,891 went to Manchester for research with Beihang University - an institution sanctioned by America for its work on rockets and drones.” Telegraph main story, Detail, 29 May
UK review of Huawei:
The Times reports Huawei officials will meet with No.10 in the coming days. It says: “Britain’s spies have warned No 10 that when Huawei replaces the American microchips it uses with Chinese alternatives, the equipment will not be secure.” The paper says the PM has a three point plan: to invest more domestically; work with international partners and phase out Huawei by 2023. Times, 29 May
A review of the impact of US sanctions on Chinese mobile network provider and manufacturer, Huawei, by the Nation Cyber Security Centre will report back within weeks and could have "very, very, serious" implications for the company's planned role in providing 5G networks in Britain. Financial Times, 1 June
Japan to further exclude Chinese telecom gear. NHK, 31 May
Chinese involvement in nuclear plants the 'next Huawei', MPs warn. Telegraph, 27 May and FT, 1 June
Nandy says action on Beijing “overdue”. Independent, 31 May
Conservative Home runs a special feature on China with a poll showing 85% Conservative Party members support for extending BN(O) rights, and a feature from Tom Tugendhat on what the UK should do. BN(O) poll, Tom Tugendhat, Editorial
Trump cancels G7, wants to expand to include Australia, Russia, South Korea and India. The Guardian says it is a “push to counter China.”Guardian, Sky News, 31 May
Beijing’s plans for South China Sea air defence identification zone. SCMP, 31 May.
PLA drill in South China Sea about combat readiness, not seizing Taiwanese islands. SCMP, 31 May.
China goads US over George Floyd protests. Guardian, 1 June
Economy/tech
China Halts Some U.S. Farm Imports, Threatening Trade Deal. Bloomberg, 1 June
Beijing wagers $2tn for ‘New Infrastructure Initiative’ to jumpstart economy. Nikkei Asian Review, 1 June
China’s Solar Giants Slash Prices as Virus Curbs Demand. Chinese manufacturers that dominate nearly every step in the global solar power supply chain are being forced to slash prices as the coronavirus disrupts projects around the world. Bloomberg, 1 June
Escalating China tensions could become an obstacle for U.S. stock rally. Reuters, 1 June
“China Rare Earth Stock Rally Returns Along With U.S. Tensions.” Bloomberg, 31 May
Longer reads & comment
“Time is running out for the West to constrain China’s global ambitions.” Nick Timothy - The Telegraph, 01 June
“Germany’s China Policy of ‘Change Through Trade’ Has Failed” - Andreas Fulda, RUSI, 1 June
“Covid has Exposed the US as a Failed State” - Unherd, 1 June
“How Hong Kong Should Be.” SupChina, 1 June
The democratic world should stand up to Beijing - Former Lib Dem MP Norman Baker, Daily Mail, 30 May
Deleting Facebook, downloading VPNs: How Hong Kongers are preparing for a draconian law. LA Times, 31 May
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